Boston Celtics draft Gonzaga forward Anton Watson

The Celtics selected Gonzaga forward Anton Watson with the 54th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, their final selection. The 23-year-old played five years at Gonzaga, including 151 games, starting every game in his final two years. In his best season, he averaged 14.5 points per game, shooting over 41% from beyond the arc. Despite this, he shot only 30.7% from three and 62.7% from the free throw line over his college career.

Watson is considered a strong defender with NBA traits, with The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor comparing him to "Old Al Horford." However, questions remain about his burst and switchability. While he had success guarding larger opponents like Purdue’s Zach Edey, it's uncertain if this will translate to the NBA. Given the Celtics' stacked roster following their 18th Championship, Watson is unlikely to see much playing time in the 2024-25 season.